January 2015 was the first
time I’d ever bitten the bullet and purchased a beauty box. I’d been shopping
around for at least a couple of months, but finally decided on Birchbox. Out of
all of the rest (love me beauty box, glossybox, etc) Birchbox seemed to be the
most luxurious, and of all the reviews I’ve read, the Birchbox contents look
like they match me much better! Here’s what I received in my Birchbox for the
HIT REFRESH January edition. I believe it was a fitness based, new-year-new-me
type box, and overall I love the theme!
activbod
Feel Great Shower Concentrate
This post-workout shower gel looks brilliant. I’m not really
one for masses of exercise, but I am trying to stay fit and healthy, so I’ve
been doing quite a bit of walking and the odd sit-up sessions. This gel works
to restore your body and mind after a workout, and eliminates any gross smells.
It contains “energising blend of sea minerals and green tea extract (and a
touch of skin-soothing almond oil), this rejuvenating wash deeply cleanses and
nourishes the skin”. It looks great! I had a quick sniff and it seems to smell
lovely; like it would really wake you up after a gym session!
Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle
I’m all about leave-in conditioner type things now I’m
blonde again. My hair needs some serious TLC and this leave-in treatment seems
to be exactly what the
doctor ordered. It aims to nourish, protect and make the hair much more
manageable. This wonderful little bottle contains a vegan, paraben - and sulfate-free leave-in mist which conditions,
detangles and minimises frizz, while safeguarding colour and adding shine.
Can’t wait to give this a whirl on my dry hair now I’ve had it changed back to
blonde!
Birchbox & Women's Health Exclusive Pilates Band (not pictured)
I can’t
believe I forgot to include this in the images! I actually left it around my
boyfriend Elliot’s head (believe it or not) as we were filming an unboxing
video! This is a pilates band which you can use during exercise to increase
resistance and build more muscle in a variety of ways. This kind of thing isn’t
really up my street at all; I prefer to walk to burn off calories and build muscle
rather than do set exercise routines. I’m not sure how much use I’ll get out of
this, but it was good to receive!
Embrace Matcha Green Tea
How perfect that I’d be sent some Green Tea in my
Birchbox! I’m over the moon to have opened this up. I’ve actually been drinking
green tea a lot recently; I have a box of Twinings in the cupboard but this
Matcha green tea looks great. I’m always up for trying new things, and green
tea is something that’s been becoming a part of my life more and more lately. I
love its detoxifying properties and it’s a comforting hot drink to replace
coffee and hot chocolates which are full of calories.
REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask
I can’t express how much I loved opening the Birchbox
to see this amazing looking face mask in there. REN is a brand I’ve not ever
heard of, but by the description on the Birchbox website, it sounds like it’s
going to be absolutely awesome and sort out some of my skin’s issues. Birchbox
says: “This bioactive peel mask renews the complexion in minutes with a
cocktail of natural fruit extracts (passion fruit, pineapple, lemon and grape
no less!) gently sloughing away dead skin cells to renew the complexion and
remove impurities (blackheads begone!)”
Shaveworks The Cool Fix
This might be a little bit TMI but this is a product I’m
so interested in. I do suffer with razor rash, especially during the summer and
I’m trying to wear shorts. I think my skin might be a bit sensitive to razors,
and in the past I’ve tried to use other products that might minimise the bumpy
redness that comes with hair removal. I’d love to see if this product really
works, because if it does, it’s definitely something I’d purchase in its full
size.
stila lip glaze
My Stila lip glaze came in a baby pinky shimmery
colour, which isn’t something I would have chosen. Come to think of it, I
wouldn’t have bought a lipglaze anyway, because lipglosses just aren’t my thing
at all. Having said that, I am excited to give this a go. I love Stila as a
brand; I own two of their eyeshadow palettes and a face powder which I love. I’ll
definitely try to incorporate this into my makeup routine just to see if I can
pull off a glossy lip.
I’ve been so impressed by this month’s Birchbox, I’ll
be continuing my subscription for the next month! What I love most is that they
send things you probably have never heard of and haven’t tried before, but they
give you just enough to test it out and tantalise you into potentially
purchasing a full size. Top marks to Birchbox!